Features: Law at work
Maternity leave increase
Women with babies due on or after 30 April 2000 have the right to at least 18 weeks' maternity leave, an increase on the 14 weeks' previously available. They will also be entitled to the longer maternity leave of up to 11 weeks before the anticipated date of birth and 29 weeks after, provided they have worked for a year (previously two years). The Department of Trade and Industry estimates that 85,000 women will benefit from the increased leave.